A Mere Fact

At the tip of Merepoint, ME

 Our trip to Maine was so much fun.  I wish Kathie were closer so that we could bird more often, but we knew the time would fly by quickly. 

I won't forget the first night Gus made us Lobster rolls!  I had watched birders salivate while telling me their stories of Maine and their love for....lobster rolls.  Now I understand better why they went crazy over the mention of Maine. 

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Kathie's backyard

For me, birding is about great observations on new birds. It's also about getting better observations on older birds that I've previously seen. Sometimes the work is difficult but it's also very rewarding. 

Many times we didn't have to go far to encounter new birds.  We'd find them everywhere around Merepoint, Wharton's landing, Brunswick and other areas. 

Pileated Woodpecker near Brunswick Landing

The primary targets for the Maine adventures were finding all the "Eastern" versions of our "Western" birds like the Eastern Whip-poor-will, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, etc etc.  Because I don't live on the eastern side of the US, many of these birds were new!  For many others, these are common birds around their feeders. 

Copulating Horseshoe Crabs

The other targets for our Maine journey focused on the Atlantic Puffin and Bicknell's Thrush.  Those required special trips out to the various areas and were planned well in advance. 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

As our checklist and time narrowed, we chose our destinations carefully. I think over the course of two weeks, we took two days to do some light birding around Kathie's house. These days were meant for relaxing and recharging our birder batteries:)

These days allowed for us to closely examine several already seen birds and their nesting habitats better.  For example, we watched a Yellow Warbler family nest near the landing by Kathie's house. 

Yellow Warbler

Without disturbing the nest, I took some photos and watched the parents feed their young ones over the course of several days. 

Nesting wasn't just limited to the Yellow Warbler family.  Song Sparrows were busy feeding their young ones as well. 

Song Sparrow

There was a lot of great habitat around Kathie's house. 

She had nesting Bald Eagles and a field full of Bobolinks!

Bobolinks in the fields of gold

And when we weren't walking around, we just sat and watched the feeders together.  Hairy Woodpeckers, Purple Finches and Tufted Titmice came to visit.  

Hairy Woodpecker parent feeding juvenile

Common Grackles lived up to their name. And looking back at it all, Kathie's backyard was a wonderful place of discovery.  The entire drive up and down her magical Merepoint was a wildlife experience.  I will forever remember driving down that several mile road along the forest and ocean.  It was always relaxing and peaceful.  So on the 4th of July when we had to say good-bye, I was sad to go. We didn't have fireworks but we did have fireflies:)

Common Grackle

It is always hard to say good-bye to dear friends.  Everyone was exhausted by the time the trip came to an end, but it was a pretty exciting ride! At the end, I added 35 new bird species to my list and Kathie added several more to her Maine and Life Lists as well. 

I'd like to thank Kathie and Gus for a wonderful time.  It's now time for me to reciprocate the love.  She will need to come and visit in the spring of next year to Arizona so that I can help her find the LeConte's Thrasher and several others she needs for her list:)  Life is short.  It is to be enjoyed and explored.  Our adventures continue back home in Arizona. Until next time Maine!

Micheal discovers L.L. Bean in Freeport, ME

For more birds both near and far, check out Wild Bird Wednesday. 

Of Squirrels and Birders

Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel

We continued our treks into the cooler climates of Northern Arizona.  On this journey, Barb, Ellen, Gordon and myself would investigate the Heber-Overgaard areas. We had to find several common yet sometimes elusive Arizona species. This trip would again prove worthwhile as we'd find new species (and old).  We all had a great time searching for new life around these smaller communities.

Gordon uses his wizard staff to call forth the Yellow-headed Blackbirds

Gordon did a wonderful job investigating the areas around Heber and Overgaard.  We went to places like Woods Canyon and Black Canyon Lakes.  On this weekend, I would again end up with 3 new lifebirds and a decent shot of another lifebird I found several months ago. Sometimes I see lifebirds and am not able to get pics.....and that's frustrating.

Western Tanager(female) eats a bee

Up along the Mogollon Rim, there are rivers, lakes and pine forests.  Over the years, fires have taken their toll on several patches of forest in the area, but overall, it's still very green and quite beautiful.  It is also here that we find a large variety of birds not found around the Phoenix or Tucson areas.

Bald Eagle

Such birds, like the Bald Eagle, are rare finds for the Tucson area.  But along the Salt River outside of Phoenix and in Northern Arizona, they are quite common.  The simple fact is that I don't get to bird much in the northern regions of the state.  So this was an opportunity to find more of those "specialty" birds that are found only in certain areas.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

The first true exciting find happened along Woods Canyon Lake.  This Red-breasted Nuthatch isn't the easiest bird to find in Arizona. More common are the Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches.  So when this bird flew into view, I became excited! Everyone in the group was wondering why it was so important for me to get great shots of this bird......until I explained it was a lifebird.  Then they all understood:)

I wasn't embarrassed that the rest of the group had already seen this bird before, but it was one of "those" birds that I think most birders assume people have seen.  One thing was for sure.  The sighting was a "high five" moment with the group.

Townsend's Solitaire with a beak full

Along the way, we really had nice views of Townsend's Solitaires.  There was a nest nearby with several juveniles flying around the trees.  While we were observing these birds, several hikers walked by and made fun of us.  That got a laugh from the group.  I used to be one of those people not so long ago. Barb, a birder of 20 years, took it all with a grain of salt.  I really enjoyed hearing her stories and fun antidotes for remembering bird calls. I wonder what she thinks about all of us "newbies".  All I know is that I have a great amount of respect for our group.  They were the kind of birders you'd want to have on a team.   Generally, Phoenix birders know their spots from Phoenix to Flagstaff.  Tucsonans know the hot birding spots from Picacho Peak to the Mexican border.  There is an imaginary divide between our cities.   And again, I have found that collaborating with the Northerners has been beneficial and worth the time.  As a Southerner, I am at my best in my own territory. It's true of any place I suppose but I would like to mention again how important birding as a team is beneficial to all involved.  We then begin to form friendships and it's so much fun.

Williamson's Sapsucker

Then magic happened.  A bird that I had already seen (but not had good observations of) came into optimal viewing.  Gordon and I were both thrilled.  Our cameras took lots of pics.  Again, more hikers crossed our path and wondered why we were looking at the tree in front of us.  Most continued onward.  A couple people stayed and watched the male Williamson's Sapsucker with us.

Red-faced Warbler

The Red-faced Warblers were really out in full numbers.  They were everywhere!  Several were super close to us on the branches.  Again, we had optimal viewing.

Mountain Bluebird

Then life bird number 2 would happen.  The Mountain Bluebirds were found off the nearby highway.  I got a little mud on my shoes as I trucked through a field to get better views of this bird.

Pinyon Jays

Another elusive bird for both Gordon and myself had been the Pinyon Jays of Northern Arizona.  It has been a real joy to hear the different sounds of Jays from this summer in not only the US but Guatemala. We heard the Jay-like calls and stopped the car. Then 30 of these Jays burst forth out of the trees.

Grace's Warbler

Grace's Warblers flitted in and out of the pines chasing bugs.

The burns from the Rodeo-Chedeski fires from 2002 are still present around Black Canyon Lake.

But life continues.....

Brewer's Blackbird

It's always fun to bird out of town.  But as noted by both Gordon and myself.......

The life birds are getting harder:) Barb just smiled as Gordon, Ellen and myself move forward into new territory.  At this point in my story, I have seen 385 species worldwide for the year which is only 4 percent of the 8,000 birds seen so far this year as reported by Ebird.   Recently, several fellow birders have hit the 2000 bird milestone.  That is an incredible accomplishment.  I'm now working on reaching 500 for the year.....and it may just happen.  Not bad for 2 years of birding.  It's not about the numbers, but it is about feeding that insane curiosity from within.  I don't care if I find a life bird in the US or Mexico.  Life birds are still life birds.  No matter where you see them.  It's about the experience behind finding each bird.

However, birding is now much more challenging. It keeps pushing us into new areas:)  We learn to team up with others to accomplish our own life goals.  We will walk the forests, in rivers, the deserts, mountain tops and the snowy tundra for years to come. If that doesn't sound like a grand adventure, I don't know what does.  Wherever we go, there will be a story to tell.

Hairy Woodpecker

More from Guatemala next week......
I'm linking up with Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday.

Pewee's Playhouse

Yellow-eyed Junco(just how many bands can these birds hold?!)

Not all birds are the same. "Oh that's a Yellow-eyed Junco! You can always tell by their song." 
Whoa whoa whoa! Back up! That statement is like saying all white people look the same. Who's more vanilla?  Well, I'm originally from Wisconsin so I'd say I'm more cheese than vanilla.  And now that I'm living in the desert, I'd say I'm more fried.  So in a sense, I guess I'm a fried cheese curd:) Sounds good to me. While certain cultures and people share commonalities, there is not one person alike.  The same goes with the bird world, etc.  My eyes aren't so great.  But my ears can zone and tune into bird calls.

Cooper's Hawk

I have recordings on my cell phone and at home that allow me to listen to bird calls.  The more practice I have; the stronger I become out in the field.  I usually go to a place with a target bird in mind.  When I have a new bird, I memorize the features of the bird and also record the songs in my brain.  On this day, up in Rose Canyon on Mt. Lemmon, I would track the Greater Pewee.....a Mexican visitor.

We'd climb the dam and find all kinds of wonderful birds. Some were nesting like the Cooper's Hawk.

Many people were fishing as we climbed the hills trying to locate the unmistakable song of the Greater Pewee.

Hairy Woodpecker

Amazing views. Incredible finds.  Below is a shot of the tent caterpillar and favorite snack of the Vireo family:)

Tent Caterpillar

Of course, House Wrens don't mind a bite or two.  Heck I don't even think they bite.  It's chomp, chomp, and gulp!

House Wren

 We were exhausted and sat on the bench watching this Cliff Chipmunk run around the grass.  And then the song!  The one I had been waiting for.....but not exactly the one I had in my head.  The voice was similar but different.  I climbed the big mountain hill at the top as the Greater Pewee called out.

Cliff Chipmunk

As I reached the top, I stopped to get the ID shot and just sat listening to the song.  I marvelled at it all.  It's interesting because people tend to clump animals, birds etc all together. And we do it with people as well:)  It just shows that not all Greater Pewees are the same......just like people. This year we have found different vocalizations not only within the Pewee populations but also with our Mountain Chickadees.  During our road trips, Pat and I have memorized their particular songs and put words with their melodies.  This bird has a beautiful song followed by an annoying, da daaa, da daaa!  And without further ado, I present to you all the very special and unique Greater Pewee.  

Greater Pewee

Table Manners!

Northern Flicker

We climbed through wind and snow to check on my friend's cabin up on Mt. Lemmon. I brought a secret stash of peanuts and pineapple(thanks to Kathie!) bits to call upon some old friends from last year.

Ski Valley

Getting there wasn't easy.  The desert was warm and breezy.  And yet 25 miles away, the frigid town of Summerhaven was covered with snow!  I had been losing ground with my bird count.  While my father was visiting, I had to take a backseat on the birding and it may have cost me the Rusty Blackbird.  But I still needed new bird species for this year.  I knew they were around my friend's cabin.  Just needed to call upon their appetites:)

And within 20 minutes of me calling out to them, the Steller's Jay came quickly.  I placed the bag of goodies on the wooden post and watched them fill up.  It was cold!!!

But the Northern Flicker heard me as well and popped up for a nut.....or two........good thing this Flicker had a bib;)

Steller's Jay

But I thought we were supposed to chew our food first!!! At least that's what my mother taught me:)  However, some birds, like the Jay, will stuff in as many nuts as they can fit into their mouths for later consumption.  Clever!

We had to walk through a blanket of snow to get to the cabin.  The roads had at least 9 inches of the white stuff.  And then there were the drifts! My feet took all day to thaw for this birding expedition!

But it was worth it:)  Later the Acorn and Hairy Woodpeckers would join us around the feeders.

Acorn Woodpecker

The snow was gorgeous, but as you can see below, the cars were all lined up for skiing!  Of course this happens up in Ski Valley.  We drove up to this part to see if we could find a parking place for some hot chili.....but it was FULL!   So we headed back down to the village and ate there.

Meanwhile, back at the cabin, all the birds were clearing off the food quickly.  One Jay turned into two, then three, then four, then five.....and SIX!  I can always rely on my Jays to call the crew in:)  Other birds will also follow these loud birds.  Before one knows it, there is a party going on!

And I welcomed that party as I was able to add 5 more birds onto my Pima county list.  None were lifebirds but they were all great birds to get on the list:)  Currently in the state of Arizona, I have found 185 species of the 314 birds reported!  More are on their way and things are going to heat up in March and April!

Our walk on Grosbeak road!  No Grosbeaks....yet:)

But on this day we froze:)  That's what I love about birding.  Each journey is strange and different. Personally, this was a fun day and I'm glad my friend had to check up on the cabin.

I would spot Steller's Jay, the White-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Hairy Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker and Northern Flicker.  Plus I was able to get closeups of these birds at the feeders!

I practically had to put my feet into the furnace to revive their walking powers again.  We were numb from the cold!

It made for a very productive day in the photography and EBIRD department!  I love playing detective and I especially love all the fun that comes with the birds:) And my friend's cabin was fine:)  Until next time.....